Dear People of God in Southern Ohio,
Last fall, as the result of many months of listening and discernment, we began to implement the newly articulated diocesan vision: to embody the Gospel of Jesus Christ and share in God’s transformation of our communities with the Holy Spirit as our guide. We hold this mission alongside three core values: integrity, relationship, and love.
It’s through that mission and in living those values that we’ve also engaged a restructuring of our diocesan staff, oriented toward direct support and care of the congregations that are the Diocese of Southern Ohio. It brings me immense joy to share that three incredible leaders have said “yes!” to joining us in mission, equipping us all to live more fully into our values and our priorities as a diocesan community.
Missioner for Black Ministries – The Rev. Aaron Rogers
First, the culmination of a long, multi-year process: I am thrilled to share that the Rev. Aaron Rogers will join our diocesan staff as the Missioner for Black Ministries beginning June 17. This position is part of the Ministry Team of the staff, led by the Rev. Canon Jodi Baron, canon to the ordinary.
Aaron graduated from Eden Theological Seminary in 2012 with his M.Div., later earning a Diploma of Anglican Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2022. Most recently, he served in a dual role: as ministry developer for young adults in the Diocese of Missouri and as priest-in-charge of St. Stephen’s and the Vine Episcopal Church in Ferguson, MO. Prior to this ministry, he served as associate to the rector for Trinity, St. Louis; as a fundraising and stewardship consultant with the Vandersall Collective; as director of ministry and theology for Faith for Justice; and as the associate minister of stewardship and development for the Historic Riverside Church in New York. He is passionate about strategic problem-solving, building strong teams, and inspiring others to join the work. Raised in a historically Black denomination, he strongly believes in the gifts and charisms of historically Black congregations, and is eager to help our congregations share their gifts with the wider diocese, with their local communities, and with future generations. Aaron and his wife, Triná, are in the process of relocating to Cincinnati.
As Missioner for Black Ministries, Aaron will equip disciples to build up the Body of Christ by connecting our four historically Black parishes with resources that will foster vitality, developing and supporting lay and ordained leadership, educating and empowering these congregations to engage in processes for strategic revitalization, as well as building connections and partnerships with our predominantly white congregations who have Black Episcopalians among their membership, and acting as a key voice in diocesan leadership. Once he begins, he can be contacted at arogers@diosohio.org.
Missioner for Lifelong Formation – The Rev. Olivia Hamilton
Next, beginning May 27, the Rev. Olivia Hamilton will join our staff as Missioner for Lifelong Formation. This is the final position to complete our Congregations Team led by the Rev. Canon Meredith Day Hearn, canon for congregations.
Olivia is a priest and board-certified chaplain with a passion for gospel-centered teaching and preaching, supporting post-traumatic growth, and pastoral theology. She graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 2015 with her M.Div. and holds a Bachelor of Arts in comparative religion from Hunter College. Since 2021, she’s served as associate rector of Calvary, Clifton and lead pastor of The Brood, a community of foster, adoptive, and kinship families gathering for support and spiritual care. She has also served as chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital; seminarian at Christ Church Cathedral, Cincinnati; and in various internships with The Episcopal Chaplaincy at Harvard, Boston Medical Center, Church of the Good Shepherd in Watertown, MA, and at the VNA Care Hospice of Cambridge, MA. She currently serves on the diocesan Reparations Task Force as well as several local community boards. Olivia, her wife, Molly, and their two young children live in the College Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati.
As Missioner for Lifelong Formation, Olivia will equip leaders throughout the diocese with training, resources, and support for engaging formation opportunities across all life stages. The missioner is a connector to raise up disciples and see congregations flourish, recognizing that formation is integral to nurturing our relationship with God, deepening our understanding of the Good News of Jesus Christ, and cultivating the transformation of our communities. Once she begins, she can be contacted at ohamilton@diosohio.org.
Data & Information Manager – Liz Brauza-Hughes
And finally, to complete the Communications Team led by Canon Katie Forsyth, canon for communications, we will welcome Liz Brauza-Hughes as our remote Data and Information Manager.
Liz, who holds a B.A. in Religious Studies and a Master of Library Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo, joins our team bringing a myriad of experience supporting ministries at every level of The Episcopal Church. She served as parish administrator for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Williamsville, NY, including responsibilities in database administration, technological operations, and general communications responsibilities. She served on the communications staff in the Diocese of Western New York, providing direct support to parishes, especially around training and access to online technology. And most recently, she served as program and database manager for The Gathering of Leaders, a churchwide organization supporting leadership development throughout The Episcopal Church. She has served in several leadership roles in diocesan and churchwide governance, including as a member of the Western New York deputation to General Convention, the churchwide Task Force to Revise the Parochial Report Finance Page, the WNY diocesan council, and as board member for the WNY Episcopal Partnership for Mission and Outreach. She comes to us with a deep understanding both of technology and how good, careful data can be used to equip and more deeply invest in transformative ministry for our leaders and for the church. Liz lives in Buffalo, NY and will work remotely.
As the remote Data and Information Manager, Liz will oversee the collection and use of all data for the diocese including management of the database, ensuring use of an accessible, modern system that supports the needs of the various ministries of the diocese. She will manage diocesan event registrations, maintain records around licensure and trainings, and support research projects, such as demographic data inquiries. She will also be available as a resource to congregations looking to deploy strategic use of data in their own evangelism and welcome initiatives. Liz begins in this role on April 23rd and can be contacted at lbrauzahughes@diosohio.org.
Friends, these times can feel isolating and daunting; when the work seems heavy, it is crucial that our community works together to share the load and to equip one another for the journey. Our team, both within the bishop’s office and as we’re deployed throughout our diocese, is sharing the load in care for one another and the people we serve. Please join me in celebrating these new calls and the work we will do together as the DSO.
Yours in Christ,
